MATRIXSYNTH: KORG Monotribe System Version 2 Announced


Thursday, December 01, 2011

KORG Monotribe System Version 2 Announced

Update: Parts 2 - 5 added and first user vid and SoundCloud below.



KORG monotribe version 2 : part.1「アップデート方法」

YouTube Uploaded by KORGINC on Dec 1, 2011

Video description further below for the archives. It appears to be just the upgrade procedure. Back to the days of cassette updates. The following is from the Korg US website on version 2:

"Announcing a major update for the monotribe!
Version 2 provides many new features to take your playing to a new dimension!

Announcing a major update to the monotribe analog ribbon station --- the full-fledged analog synth and rhythm unit with a step sequencer inherited from the Electribe! The monotribe Version 2 adds a plethora of new features, allowing you to create sequences that are even more elaborate, or to layer complex musical developments for extended performances.

Surely one of the most exciting additions is a new synchronized performance mode that allows for new type of performance using multiple monotribe units. Whether you've never touched a monotribe or whether you're an expert who is thoroughly familiar with all of the current features, this new update guarantees that your analog groove-making will be more intense than ever before!

Highlights
Sequencer:

Synth part resolution has been doubled to 16 Steps
Volume Automation has been added to the synth part.
Active Step can be specified for each part.
Drum Roll capability has been added.
Gate Time Hold function has been added.

Synthesizer:

Sample and Hold (S&H) function added to LFO.

Sync:

Connected sequences allow multiple monotribe units to play in rotation.
Half Tempo function has been added.

Short Cut Keys:

Four convenient shortcuts for creating patterns quickly

16-Step Synth parts
As with drum parts, the synth part now provides timing information in between the steps in a sequence, allowing a pattern to achieve a total of 16 steps.

Synth Part Volume Automation
Volume Automation allows the synth volume to be recorded during playback to create more detailed sequences. The left side of the ribbon controller keyboard decreases the volume, and the right side increases it. This Volume Automation can even be controlled when if Flux mode is on.

Set individual Active Steps for each Part.
The Active Step function lets you specify which steps are played or jumped when playing back the step sequencer. Now, the Active Step can be set individually for each of the SYNTH, BD, SD, and HH parts. By specifying a different number of steps for each part, you can create complex polyrhythms.

Sample & Hold (S & H) added to the LFO
The newly added S&H function is indispensible for creating mysterious analog synth sound effects. The RATE knob adjusts the frequency of change, and the INT. knob adjusts the depth of change.

"What is Sample & Hold?"
Unlike traditional LFO waveshapes that provide a constantly changing signal, the Sample & Hold feature takes a "sample" of the LFO signal and holds that level for a specific duration of time. The results are the highly popular and slightly random stepped-filter effects so famously used in analog synthesizers. By using noise as the input signal, the monotribe version 2 lets you create effects that change in a distinctively random manner.

Drum Roll capability
A roll can now be added to the desired drum part. The speed of the roll can be controlled using the ribbon controller keyboard; moving toward the right will increase the number of strikes. You can also record the drum roll using the sequencer to intuitively create subtle and dynamic drum patterns.

Linked Sequences play multiple monotribes in rotation
The Link Sequence feature is a completely new sync method that vastly expands the scope of the monotribe, to deliver even more fun. When sequence playback reaches step 8, the sequence will automatically stop and the next monotribe unit will start playing. By loop-connecting the SYNC jacks, the playback can keep cycling through multiple units – in true modular fashion!

New Additions
The Gate Time Hold function lets you use the ribbon controller keyboard to play and record new pitch information while retaining the gate times recorded in the sequencer. Also new is the Half Tempo function, which cuts the tempo in half when synchronizing to an external input from the SYNC IN jack. In addition, there are now four shortcut keys that instantly initialize various types of sequence data or active step settings.

Updating Procedure
Thinking of monotribe as an analog synthesizer, the procedure of for updating the Operating System is also a very old-school, analog-style method, reminiscent of loading data via the playback of analog cassette tape. Simply download the system data which Korg has encoded as an audio (WAV) file from www.korg.com or from the website of your local Korg distributor. Then, play back the file using a WAV file player like a Smartphone or using PC application software, directly in to the monotribe's SYNC IN jack. When the audio (WAV) file finished playing, your monotribe has been updated. It’s a traditional procedure revived for a new generation!

WARNING!
Do not playback the system update file on any speaker or headphone system as this could lead to damage to equipment and/or hearing loss. Neither Korg nor any of its affiliates will accept responsibility for any damages, personal loss or injury that may result from playback of the file."


--- YouTube Description ---

Googlish translation of original Japanese further below:
"Special Page monotribe version 2: http://www.korg.co.jp/Product/Dance/monotribe/version2.html

The real analog synth and rhythm, a major update with the analog step sequencer monotribe station ribbon of 譲Ri ELECTRIBE! In monotribe version 2 with all new features, you can create ever more elaborate sequences, allowing long overlapping deployments play a complex song. Ver.1 and also played by built-in synchronous mode, a new and different, you can enjoy a new experience for playing more than one sense monotribe.

Note that the analog sticks to monotribe sound, an analog approach can also update Kodawarimasu. Past, as was the PC data loading by cassette tapes, and adopted a voice in how to update using monotribe.
Audio system for updating (WAV) provides encoding and file format. SYNC your audio file and do the update - input to the terminal IN.
In this video, it shows you how to update. And what is trickery or audio files for the update, you can actually hear our.

For detailed procedures and other precautions ※ Please refer to the above special page."


"monotribe version 2 特設ページ:http://www.korg.co.jp/Product/Dance/monotribe/version2.html

本格アナログ・シンセ&リズムに、ELECTRIBE譲りのステップ・シーケンサーを搭載したアナログ・リボン・ステーション monotribe がメジャー・アップデート!あらゆる新機能を追加したmonotribe version 2では、これまで以上に精巧なシーケンスの作成や、複雑な楽曲展開を重ねてのロング・プレイが可能に。またver.1とは異なる新たな同期演奏モードの搭載により、mon­otribe複数台を用いた新感覚の演奏体験を味わうことができます。

なおアナログ・サウンドにこだわったmonotribeは、アップデート方法もアナログ的手法にこだわります。過去、パソコンのデータをカセット・テープによってロードし­ていたように、monotribeでは音声を用いたアップデート方法を採用しました。
アップデートするためのシステムをオーディオ(WAV)ファイル形式にエンコードして用意しています。そのオーディオ・ファイルをSYNC-IN端子へ入力することでアッ­プデートを行います。
このビデオでは、そのアップデート方法をご紹介。アップデート用オーディオ・ファイルが如何様なものなのか、実際にお聴き頂くこともできます。

※手順の詳細やその他注意事項については、上記特設ページをご参照下さい。"


KORG Monotribe System Version 2

YouTube Uploaded by sequentialx on Dec 2, 2011

"thanks Korg! NEXT : MEMORY BANK?"

Gastroenterology of Mollusca
Gastroenterology of Mollusca by radiokoala
via Igor in the comments below: "Thought you may want to check the first 2.0 composition, so here it is. It is called 'Gastroenterology of Mollusca' and such new features as S&H, drum rolls, and part active step were used."

Update:

US KORG Monotribe V2 Videos


monotribes on eBay

6 comments:

  1. Version 2.01 system update monotribe

    http://www.korg-datastorage.jp/Update/monotribe/monotribe_updater_0201j.zip

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ok, so who will be the first to download the new firmware and post a demo of the new features? :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thought you may want to check the first 2.0 composition, so here it is:

    http://soundcloud.com/radiokoala/gastroenterology-of-mollusca

    It is called "Gastroenterology of Mollusca" and such new features as S&H, drum rolls, and part active step were used.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks! Added to the post.

    ReplyDelete
  5. For OSX users I had issues using Quick time x at any volume level .
    I used MPlayerX at around 65-75% volume with the headphone out of the mac at 100% for the win . YMMV , but in all scenarios WIN, OSX ,MP3 players etc. play with volume , turn off wifi , anything that makes noise intentionally or by byproduct may help on less optimal systems and devices as well ;)

    Very nostalgic indeed !

    ReplyDelete

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